COMMON WOODCOCK. 391 



it flies to no great distance, for, whenever a suitable spot 

 presents itself, it drops suddenly down, and looks for a place 

 of repose. Woodcocks, hoAvever, do not always doze all day 

 long ; for I have more than once found them in full activity, 

 searching for food, along brooks and ditches, in woods and 

 by hedges. 



The common earth-worm appears to be the favourite food 

 of this bird. To obtain it the bill is thrust into the ground 

 to its full length, as appears from the holes made where it 

 has been feeding. Coleopterous insects are also found in its 

 stomach, and sometimes vegetable fibres. According to M. 

 Lesson, " the Woodcocks live on insects, worms, slugs, and 

 other small animals ; for which they search among the grass 

 and in moist ground, or beneath fallen leaves." The ordinary 

 flight of the Woodcock is moderately quick, sedate, and 

 unlike that of the Snipe, which is rapid, undulated, and, 

 performed by quick beats of the wings. It walks with ease, 

 and on occasions quickly ; but is not addicted to running or 

 much wading, although it readily goes into the water. 



It forms its nest in various situations — in woods, about 

 the margins of thickets, or in open places. It is a slight 

 hollow, lined with bits of twigs and leaves. The eggs, four 

 in number, are obtusely pyriform, an inch and three-fourths 

 in length, an inch and a third in breadth, yellowish-white, 

 clouded and spotted with grey and reddish-brown or dusky. 

 Very considerable numbers breed in Scotland, as well as in 

 England ; fewer in the latter country, it would appear. 

 Previous to the beginning of the present century, either the 

 bird did not breed with us, or it had been considered alto- 

 gether migratory ; and reports as to nest or young were 

 neglected. But of late years so many instances have been 

 recorded, that we cannot doubt its perennial residence in 

 Britain, and have ceased to consider a Woodcock's nest as a 

 wonderful thing. Indeed, many more cases are known than 

 have been recorded of the Redshank. Sir F. Mackenzie sent 

 to the Zoological Society, in July, 1832, an account of the 

 breeding of some Woodcocks at Conan, in Ross-shire. In 

 the Magazine of Natural History for 1837, are accounts of 

 Woodcocks breeding at Brahan Castle, in the same county, 



